obesity ---a major threatChildren become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are genetic factors, lack ofphysical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of these factors. Only in rare cases is being overweight caused by a medical condition such as a hormonal problem. Aphysical examand some blood tests can rule out the possibility of a medical condition as the cause for obesity.
Althoughweight problemsrun in families, not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight. Children whose parents or brothers or sisters are overweight may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight themselves, but this can be linked to shared family behaviors such as eating and activity habits.
Obese children are at risk for a number of conditions, including:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Early heart disease
- Diabetes
- Bone problems
- Skin conditions such asheat rash, fungal infections, and acne
- if you have an overweight child, it is very important that you allow him or her to know that you will be supportive.
- Instead, parents should focus on gradually changing their family's physical activity and eating habits. By involving the entire family, everyone is taught healthful habits and the overweight child does not feel singled out.
- hope it helped
